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By Moy Sutherland

Morris (Moy) Sutherland is from the Ahousaht Nation, within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. In 1995, with encouragement from family, Moy began creating Native art. He first learned the principles of carving from Joe Wilson in Alert Bay. Upon mastering some basic techniques, he moved home to learn more about the Nuu-chah-nulth style from Mark Mickey and Ron Hamilton in Port Alberni. He has also worked with friend and established Kwakwaka’wakw artist Carey Newman. In 2000, he began an apprenticeship with world-renowned Nuu-chah-nulth artist Art Thompson. Moy and Art worked together until Art’s death in 2003. Moy has the benefit of having learned from both Kwagiulth and Nuu-chah-nulth artists. His pieces are known for being ornate, and often containing abalone and operculum inlays.

The smallest, by population, Federally Recognized Tribe in the United States is the “Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, California (formerly the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians of the Augustine Reservation)”. There were only 8 enrolled members as of 2002.